--Chapter Twelve--
A/N—Friday's Cindy's first game and she is stoked.
It's the day before the first game and Cindy is so excited, she can hardly contain herself. The final practice before the big day went well.
Shelley: All right ladies, great practice! Cindy, may I see you a minute?
Cindy: Sure.
Shelley: So, are you ready for the pep rally and game tomorrow?
Cindy: I sure am.
Shelley: Well, I want my best cheerleader to be in tip top shape tomorrow. You did great on your stunts today. I can tell you've been practicing.
Cindy: Thanks. My sister Marcia used to be a cheerleader, so she's been giving me pointers.
Shelley: Great! Anyway, there's your mom. See you tomorrow.
Cindy: Okay, bye!
She meets her mom.
Carol: Hey kiddo! How was practice?
Cindy: It was awesome! I did a great cradle at the end of the routine.
Carol: As long as you're being careful.
Cindy: I am. Morgan and Theresa are great spotters. You and dad are coming to the game?
Carol: Of course! We wouldn't miss it. And your brothers and sisters will be there too. Greg wants to take some pictures too. Is that okay?
Cindy: Super! We're debuting our routine at the pep rally and then doing it again at halftime.
Carol: I look forward to it. She's thinking, "I don't know about this. I still don't like the idea of my daughter flying in the air, being tossed around like a rag doll. She could get hurt. Why, oh why did I let Mike talk me into letting her stay on the squad? At least on the JV team, they don't do quite so many stunts."
Cindy: Notices her mother's lost in thought. Mom, I won't get hurt, if that's what you're thinking. We're really careful.
Carol: You caught me. Listen sweetie, I'm your mother and I love you. Mothers don't want to see their kids getting hurt. I know you'll be careful, but I still don't like it.
They drive home. Cindy still wonders how she'll convince her mother she'll be fine.
Carol enters the family room and sees Jan practicing her debating skills.
Jan: Hey mom, I've got my first debate tomorrow!
Carol: Oh honey, that's wonderful!
Jan: Yeah. The topic is "Should Congress do something to alleviate the gas crunch?" My position is yes and I'm supposed to come up with ways to alleviate the crunch.
Carol: What are some of your ideas?
Jan: Electric cars or other alternative fuel sources.
Cindy: Electric cars? Sure, that'll be the day.
Carol: Well, I think it's a good topic and you'll do a wonderful job.
Jan: I hope so. It's such a touchy subject. At least I don't have the topic of "Should Nukes be allowed or should they be banned?"
Carol: That sounds like a hard topic. Well, good luck and keep studying.
The phone rings and Cindy answers it.
Cindy: Hello? Oh hi, Shelley! What? Are you serious? She's very excited.
Carol: Extremely curious. What?
Cindy: Waves her mother off. Wow! That's awesome! I can't believe it! Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow! Bye!
Carol: What was that all about?
Cindy: Only the best news in the world!
Carol: What?
Cindy: Katie quit the squad.
Jan: I don't see what's so good about that.
Cindy: Well, it's not good for Katie, but it's good for me.
Carol: Don't keep us in suspense, tell us!
Cindy: I've just been chosen to be co-captain of the squad! I get to hold the banner with Shelley at the game, where the football players run through it at the start of the game. Also, I get to be at the head of the float at homecoming in a few weeks.
Jan: That's so cool!
Carol is a bit speechless. Mike comes in from work and sees the celebratory atmosphere.
Mike: Hi gang! What's all the celebration?
Cindy: I was just chosen co-captain of the squad!
Mike: Hey! Congratulations! That's great!
Jan: And I've got my first debate tomorrow.
Mike: Another cause to celebrate! He notices Carol's not celebrating. Honey?
Carol: Congratulations Cindy. She hugs her daughter.
Cindy: Thanks. "I think."
The next day, Cindy has her first pep rally and Jan has her first debate. It's all the buzz at the breakfast table.
Marcia: Remember Cindy, even if you get nervous, just smile and have fun.
Cindy: Who's nervous?
Jan: Me. I have butterflies in my stomach.
Bobby: I heard Millicent took Katie's spot on the squad.
Cindy: Yeah. She's one of the tumblers.
Bobby: So, did they find someone to take her spot on the JV squad?
Cindy: Cassie Hathaway.
Bobby: Kerri's sister?
Cindy: Yep. She was up for Katie's spot, but Shelley doesn't like her either. She's just as scary as her sister. She rolls her eyes.
Carol: Now, Cindy.
Peter: Don't even mention Kerry. She's got daggers for me.
Mike: Walks into the kitchen. So, how's our cheerleader?
Cindy: Excited!
Jan: What? Am I invisible?
Carol: Jan, what's wrong?
Jan: I've got my first debate of high school today and nobody notices. Sorry Cindy, but everyone's focusing on her cheerleading. That's great and all, but I've got an important debate today. Nora even called me last night to wish me good luck. So did Greg. Did any of you? No. She gets up. I'm out of here! Bye!
She grabs her lunch and leaves. The rest of the kids finish up their breakfast and go.
After school, Jan rushes into the house. Carol and Alice are fixing dinner.
Jan: Mom, mom! I won! I won the debate!
Carol: Oh Jan, that's wonderful!
Alice: Whistles a congratulatory whistle. Bravo! Bravo!
Jan: You know our topic, "Should Congress do something to alleviate the gas crunch?"
Carol: Yes?
Jan: Well, my idea for electric cars and using wind and solar power and nuclear energy to produce electricity sealed the deal.
Cindy rushes in, stoked.
Cindy: My pep rally went great! I was super!
Carol: That's great!
Cindy: Yeah, I did the best half-twist cradle Shelley has ever seen!
Alice: I don't know what that is, but I'm certain it was fabulous.
Cindy: Uh, huh! I can't wait for tonight! The game's gonna be super! Jeremy's the starting quarterback on the Varsity football team.
Carol: Wow! I didn't think they'd let sixth graders on the varsity team.
Cindy: Well, he's fast and strong. They don't call him Muscles Malone for nothing.
Jan: Hey, I was talking about my debate.
Cindy: He wants to take me to the dance after the game. Isn't that groovy? I've gotta get ready for the game!
She runs off. Carol and Alice shake their heads while Jan storms off without a word.
The time for the game has finally come. Cindy's in place with the banner, opposite Shelley. She can't believe how much fun she's having. And to think, she tried out as a joke. She hates cheerleaders. However, except for Cassie and Katie, who dropped out of cheerleading, these girls are pretty nice. Even Theresa, who could've sworn she would've been chosen co-captain instead of her is pretty nice. At least she's professional and doesn't let her jealousy get in the way of being a good spotter. The announcer announces the Fillmore Junior High Football Team.
Shelley: Cindy, this is it!
The football team comes crashing through the banner as their name's being called.
Announcer: …and number 12, starting quarterback for the Fillmore Warriors, Jeremy Malone!
The Bradys are in the stands.
Mike: There's Cindy!
Carol: My baby girl! She looks so grown up!
Marcia: They look so young! I was never that young, was I?
Greg's snapping pictures.
Bobby: She looks like she's having fun. Millicent's looking pretty fine too.
Peter: Starting early, aren't ya, Bob?
Jan: I think you guys started "scoping out chicks", as you call it, from birth.
Soon, the squad takes their place on the track. The referee calls for the coin toss. Fillmore wins and gets to kick off. The game is in full swing. Fillmore snaps the ball and Jeremy goes in for a touchdown. Cindy's ecstatic! Her boyfriend just made the first score of the game. The kicker kicks the extra point and it's good!
Cindy: Yay, Jeremy!
Shelley: Okay, "Let's Go Warriors" She claps her hands in rhythm. 5, 6, 7, 8…
The squad begins their cheering. Cindy does an aerial, which horrifies her mother.
Carol: Mike, she's gonna get hurt!
Mike: Chuckles. Could you just calm down a bit? She's fine.
Carol: But Mike.
Mike: She did a simple flip.
Marcia: It's called an aerial.
Carol: I don't care what it is. I don't want her breaking her neck.
Greg: I got it!
Nora: Cindy's gonna love you for it.
The game goes on and Fillmore increases the lead. The squad's also in full swing. At the end of the routine, Theresa and Morgan hoist Cindy up so she can do a heel stretch. She pops off and Morgan catches her.
Jan: Impressed. Wow! She's really good!
Marcia: Yeah!
Bobby: Big deal. He rolls his eyes. Anyone can kick their leg up and say, "Go, team, go!"
Peter: Aww, cut it out, Bobby. I know you're just looking at Millicent.
Julie: Aww, Cindy's a cutie. She reminds me of my cousin.
Peter: Oh? Tell me more.
Julie: Chucks him in the arm. Just watch the game, or your sister. Never mind about my cousin. She's just a year older than Cindy and lives in Maine. She pulls him up close.
Before they know it, it's halftime. The band marches on the field and performs their show. Next, the Junior Varsity team performs their routine.
Bobby: Boy, Cassie Hathaway doesn't look happy.
Julie: Why not?
Bobby: Millicent got Katie's spot on the Varsity team.
Julie: Lemme guess. Cassie wanted it. Thinks a bit. Cassie, Cassie. Is that Kerry Hathaway's sister?
Peter: Yep.
Julie: Stay away from her, Bobby.
Peter: Not to worry. He's sweet on Millicent.
Bobby: Oh, shut up.
The JV squad leaves the field and the Varsity Squad takes the field. The band begins to play and the cheerleaders start their routine. Cindy's dancing her heart out.
Carol: Go, Cindy, go!
Mike: See, everything's okay.
Carol: Gets misty-eyed. Oh, my little girl! She looks so grown up.
Mike puts his arm around his wife. She rests her head on his shoulder. The girls get in formation for their final pyramid. Cindy climbs on top. Tiffany and Jennifer hoist her in the air. Cindy's feeling proud at this moment. "My first halftime routine! This was so fun! I never thought cheering would be so fun!"
Carol: Way to go, Cindy!
Marcia: Yay, Cindy!
Peter: Yeah!
It's time for the dismount. Shelley gives the signal and Cindy begins to cradle out. Jennifer releases, but Tiffany delays a bit. Cindy's ankle strikes Jennifer and Cindy loses her balance. Fortunately, Morgan catches her just before she hits the ground.
Carol: Stands up and gasps. My baby! She's hurt!
Mike has to restrain his wife from running on to the field. Morgan lays Cindy on the ground and Shelley goes over to check on her. Cindy sits up and holds her ankle.
Shelley: Cindy, are you okay?
Cindy: Yeah, but my ankle hurts.
Morgan: It was Tiffany. She didn't let go soon enough.
Tiffany: I'm sorry! I didn't mean to.
The coach comes over to check on Cindy.
Coach Muncie: Cindy, can you walk on it?
Shelley: Here, lemme help you. She helps Cindy up.
Cindy: Falters a bit. Ow!
Coach Muncie: Let's get you over to the doctor so he can check it out.
Shelley: Darci, you're in charge until I get back.
Mike and Carol see Shelley and the coach take Cindy over to the doctor. Darci leads the crowd in applause for Cindy.
Carol: Upset. I told you she shouldn't be cheering on the Varsity squad. I told you she'd get hurt. Now my baby's hurt. I knew I shouldn't have given in so easily!
Mike: Let's go on over to the doctor's so we can see how badly she's hurt.
Greg: Do you want us to come too?
Mike: No, we'll come get you if we need.
Mike takes Carol to Cindy. Coach Muncie and Shelley are with her. The doctor examines Cindy's ankle.
Doctor Jones: I think it's just a sprain.
Cindy: Breathes a sigh of relief. That means I can keep cheering.
Doctor Jones: Not this game. I'd take it easy on that ankle if you want to be able to cheer for the rest of the season.
Cindy: But, but. She tries to protest.
Shelley: Tries to console her team mate. Hey, it's okay. You won't lose your spot on the team. I know you wanted to cheer for your first game. You were great in the halftime routine.
Cindy: Sullen. Yeah, until Tiffany wouldn't release me. I told her to let go.
Shelley: Well, if she did it on purpose, she'll hafta answer to me. I need to get back. I'll see you later. She goes to join the squad.
Cindy: Bye.
Mike and Carol enter the exam room. Carol rushes to her daughter's side. Cindy's sitting on the table, staring at her wrapped ankle.
Carol: Oh Cindy! How's your ankle?
Cindy: It doesn't hurt, really. She doesn't want to admit it feels like it's on fire.
Mike: What happened?
Cindy explains what transpired.
Carol: Well, let's get you home.
Cindy: I wanna stay for the rest of the game.
Mike: Are you sure?
Cindy: Yes. I know I can't cheer, but I wanna be with my squad.
Mike agrees, despite Carol's protests. However, they decide it's best if she misses the dance. Cindy protests, but they hold firm.
Fillmore wins the game. Jeremy scores the winning touchdown. Cindy joins her squad for the post-game celebrations. Shelley hoists Cindy on her shoulders so she can cheer the football team off the field. She locates Jeremy and lets him know she can't go to the dance. He understands and states he's not staying either. He adds he'll call her so they can go out for a pizza or ice cream after she gets off grounding.
After the Bradys get home, Mike, Carol and Cindy talk in the den about her future on the squad.
Carol: I don't think you should stay on the squad.
Cindy: Why not?
Carol: I think you're too young to be on the Varsity squad.
Mike: I'm inclined to agree with your mother.
Cindy: Dad, why the 180? Is it because I fell?
Carol: You got hurt, Cindy. I think it's too dangerous.
Cindy: It wasn't too dangerous for Marcia.
Carol: She was in the ninth grade. You're in the sixth. You should be cheering with other sixth graders, not eighth.
Cindy: But I'm good! You saw me.
Mike: You can try out for the Varsity squad next year.
Cindy: But I'm the co-captain! I have a good chance of being captain next year! Do you know how many seventh graders get to be captain of the Varsity squad?
Carol: I'm sorry, Cindy, but it's just too dangerous.
Cindy: But that's not fair! I earned the spot! You let Greg play football!
Carol: And he got hurt!
Cindy: Yeah, but he played his Senior year in high school too.
Mike: No more arguments. You've got a choice. See if you can join the JV squad or not cheer at all. Talk to the coach on Monday.
Cindy: But Cassie Hathaway is on the JV team. I can't stand her! She's as bad as Kathy.
Carol: Then, I guess you know what you have to do.
Cindy: This is totally whacked!
Mike: When you're at school Monday, talk to your coach.
Cindy: Storms off. This is totally bogue! No way am I quitting the squad!
--Chapter Twelve continues--